facies

noun

fa·​cies ˈfā-shē-ˌēz  ˈfā-shēz 

plural facies

1

: general appearance

a plant species with a particularly distinct facies

2

: an appearance and expression of the face characteristic of a particular condition especially when abnormal

adenoid facies

3

: a part of a rock or group of rocks that differs from the whole formation (as in composition, age, or fossil content)

Examples of facies in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, exaggerated allele-specific morphs based on normal-range variation in these genes recapitulates the syndromic facies of the craniofacial dysmorphologies with which they are associated. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2012

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin faciēs, going back to Latin, "appearance, form" — more at face entry 1

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Medical Definition

facies

noun

fa·​cies ˈfā-sh(ē-ˌ)ēz 

plural facies

1

: an appearance and expression of the face characteristic of a particular condition especially when abnormal

adenoid facies

see hippocratic facies, moon facies

2

: an anatomical surface